In memory of Romeo - Tiger's good pal

Romeo, on his way to meet Tiger.

Tiger finally meeting Romeo after few weeks apart.

Romeo, anticipating the next chapter in his life.

The minute we got there, we were informed that Romeo had just passed away. A sudden heart attack caused by acute heartworm that took him away from us. In fact, it was just a short while before we arrive. His body was still warm.

It was a queer feeling. To arrive with an expectant heart of happy greetings from our dogs, yet our very first greeting was a limp, wagless form who breathed his last just a while ago. It was a queer feeling too, to try to hold back any strong feelings of loss and proceed with our list of duties for the day.

It is only now, sitting quietly with my own thoughts and feelings, that I fully grasp the loss of Romeo. The time we spent trying to get him for Tiger. The persuading of the uncle to let Romeo go with us when he had wanted Romeo to stay on the farm. The happy reunion with Tiger that made us smile. The hopeful move away from the dangers they may face living as strays here. The expectant heart as we set off today. And the leaden heart we carried back later.

Life and death. For whatever reason our breath ceases, let us not come to a place where death is accepted with a jadedness that either purposes to hide our vulnerability from the world, or to exude professionalism in place of tears.

Death should at the very least be faced with a respectable mourning for the loss and a celebration of the life lived.

We mourn in remembrance of Romeo. And we celebrate his life and more so, his true freedom now.

Later, Romeo.


Our post of 2 Sep 2006:
Today Tiger met her boyfriend. V names him Romeo. But...we are not used to calling Tiger, Juliet... :)
He was apprehensive in the car, scanning around with doleful eyes. Once we stepped into the kennel area, he gave a long pee (as if he hadn't peed for awhile!). It was a long....one. All the while, Tiger was curiously sniffing him thru the grills.
Tiger obviously recognises Romeo and pranced around for awhile. But Romeo was just steady, apprehensive still from the change in environment and all that din of barking around.It feels good to reunite 2 good pals. If they need to be uprooted from their farm for their longterm benefit, this is the least we can do for them.